Is neurofeedback worth a lot of money?

Why the idea is appealing

Neurofeedback offers a satisfying story: measure brain activity, train the brain, improve ADHD. The technology and repeated sessions can feel more targeted than ordinary therapy.

That story also creates strong expectations. Families may sincerely report improvement even when controlled comparisons do not show that neurofeedback itself caused the change.

What the strongest review found

A recent review combined 38 randomized trials involving nearly 2,500 participants. On its main measure, neurofeedback did not meaningfully improve total ADHD symptoms when ratings came from people who probably did not know which treatment the child received.

A smaller benefit appeared when researchers looked only at the more commonly studied, predefined neurofeedback approaches. A small improvement in processing speed also appeared. Those findings are worth further study, but they do not overturn the main result or justify marketing neurofeedback as proven ADHD care.

What this decision means

It does not mean every family who noticed improvement imagined it, or that every clinic is dishonest. The improvement could come from expectations, repeated attention from staff, practice effects, or the structure of an intensive program rather than neurofeedback itself.

Future trials could change the conclusion. Today, a long and costly course should not displace medication, parent training, adult CBT and skills, school support, or sleep care when those are indicated.

Do not confuse it with other digital tools

Neurofeedback is different from working-memory games and from an authorized prescription digital therapeutic. Similar technology language does not make their evidence interchangeable.